Clinical irrigating device



Fgj 4 F y 1, 1944. c. B. FERREL I 2,353,153

CLINICAL IRRIGATING DEvI'cE Filed Aug. 5, 1942 2 lyll g w 6 INVENTOR. CLYOE B.FEPRL aiira pm ATTORNEYS.-

Patented July 11, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

2,353,153 CLINICAL IRRIGATING DEVICE Clyde B. Ferrel, San Francisco, Calif.

Application August 5, 1942, Serial No. 453,657

Claims.

' This invention relates to an irrigating or spraying apparatus, and particularly to a collapsible liquid container and a case therefor into which -the container telescopes and collapses to form a compact, comparatively small unit which may be conveniently carried, packed, or 'stored, and from which the container is extended and suspended when in use. p

The object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplify the construction and operation of apparatus of the character described; 'to provide an accordion pleated flexible container constructed of impregnated water proof fabric, rubber or the like; to provide a case to which an open end of the container is attached and into which the container collapses and telescopes and from which it is extended and suspended when in use; to provide an opening in the case through which the container may be filled, said opening being formed in the bottom of a cup-like depression in the case, and said depression serving as a funnel and as a measuring receptacle for antiseptics or other substances to be added to liquid in the container, and further to provide a valv for the filling opening with means for suspending the case and container therefrom.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the apparatus partially in section;

Fig. 2 shows the discharge tube, and the bulb and nozzle;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the snap ring;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the nozzle; and

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the nozzle.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and particularly Fig. l, A indicates in general a case which may be constructed of metal, vulcanized rubber or any suitable plastic material. The case has an annular side wall 2 and a top or cover portion 3 in which is formed a cup or funnellike depression 4 having a filling opening 5 in the bottom thereof. A valve seat is formed in the filling opening to receive a valve 6 which is suspended from links I for purposes hereinafter to b described.

Adapted to be secured within the case is a container B which may be made from water proofed fabric, rubber or the like. The body of the container is accordion pleated as at 8 to permit the container to be collapsed and telescoped into the case or to be extended and suspended therefrom. If th container is made from water proofed fabric or the like, the accordion pleating is preferably arranged in the form of a helix as this permits a continuous sewing operation when assembling the plaits, but if the container is made from vulcanized rubber or the like, the plaits may be parallel. The upper end of the container is open and provided with an annular fold 9 whereby it is secured in a groove F0 formed in the inner face of the case by means of a snap ring H.

The bottom of the container indicated at l2 terminates in a tube I3 which may be made of any flexible material. This tube has a bulb l4 formed thereon and a nozzle is fitted in the terminated end of the tube as at l5. Any suitable form of nozzle may be employed, but a self closing type is preferred i. e. the nozzle may be pro vided with a series of slits [6 at the outer end which, due to the employment of a semiflexible material in the nozzle, automatically opens when pressure is applied to a liquid passing therethrough and conversely closes when pressure is not applied.

In actual operation the apparatus may be employed for irrigating or spraying cavities or passages in the human body, etc. For instance, if

' water containing an antiseptic is to be employed,

the case is grasped and the container is extended therefrom. Water is then poured into the container through the filling opening as the valve will be held open by gravity action. The links attached to the valve are then grasped and lifted by one hand causing the valve to close and the case and container to be suspended therefrom. The antiseptic may be poured into the depressed cup or funnel shaped portion of the case and the quantity poured in may be measured as graduations I! are applied to the face of the funnel, then by grasping the case and slightly lifting it with the other hand, the valve will open and a measured quantity of antiseptic will thus be released to enter and mix with the water in the container. Thereafter the links may be applied to a hook on any elevated support to suspend the case and container therefrom thus leavinga person using the apparatus free to insert and hold the nozzle with one hand and to operate the bulb with the other. In operating the bulb no check valve is required as the thumb and index finger of the hand may be employed to squeeze and close the tube above the bulb while the remaining fingers are utilized to apply sufiicient pressur to the bulb proper to open the nozzle and cause discharge therethrough, the amount of pressure applied determining whether a spray or irrigating action results.

The apparatus as a whole is simple in construction and operation and may be readily taken apart for cleaning, repair or otherwise, and obviously as the container is collapsible and telescopes within the case the apparatus as a whole consumes a minimum of space whether it is to be carried, shipped or stored, and while these and other features of the apparatus have been more Or less specifically described, it should be understood that changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus of the character described comprising a case closed at the upper end and open at the bottom, a flexible container within the case, said container having an open and a closed end, and being collapsible within the case, and also extendible therefrom, means securing the open end of the container within the case adjacent the upper end thereof and an opening formed in the closed end of the case for filling the container with a liquid.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a case closed at one end and open at the other, a cup-like receptacle formed in the closed end of the case, a flexible container secured within the case, said container being collapsible within the case and also extendible through the open end of the case, and an opening formed in the cup-like receptacle in communication with the flexible container through which a liquid may be poured to fill the container.

3. An apparatus of the character described comprising a case closed at one end and open at the other, a cup-like receptacle formed in the closed end of the case, a flexible container secured within the case, said container being collapsible within the case and also extendible through the open end of the case, an opening formed in the cup-like receptacle in communication with the flexible container through which a liquid may be poured to fill the container, and a closure for said opening to permit the cup-like receptacle to serve as a measuring device for other substances to be added to the liquid container.

4. An apparatus of the character described comprising a case closed at one end and open at the other, a cup-like receptacle formed in the closed end of the case, a. flexible container secured within the case, said container being collapsible Within the case and also extendible through the open end of the case, an opening formed in the cup-like receptacle in communication with the flexible container through which a liquid may be poured to fill the container, a valve for said opening to permit the cup-like receptacle to serve as a measuring device for other substances to be added to the liquid in the container, a flexible discharge tube having a nozzle thereon connected with the flexible container, and means connected with the valve for closing the same and for suspending the case and container from an elevated support.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising a case closed at one end and open at the other, a flexible container secured within the case, said container being collapsible within the case, and also extendible therefrom, a filling opening formed in the case in communication with the flexible container, a valve for opening and closing said opening, a discharge outlet on the container, and means connected with the valve for closing it and for simultaneously suspending the case and container.

CLYDE B. FERREL. 

